Which of these, technically speaking, is not a musical term: scherzo, staccato, sequestrationo?

It’s a fair question, given the news Wednesday that the U.S. Marine Band is buying a Steinway grand piano (Thursday afternoon, the Marines said it’s used, and that they’re getting it for the “reduced price” of $78,710 instead of the $90,600 cost of a new model).

When you think of military music, it’s a safe bet brass bands – with lots of drums – first come to ear. But the Pentagon’s musical units play a lot of venues where John Philip Sousa’s stirring marches would be out of place.

That’s why Sousa’s old outfit – he directed the Marine Band for 12 years – is buying a Steinway Model B grand piano. The Marine Band includes assorted ensembles featuring strings, woodwinds, pianos and other unMarine-like instruments, that play at official functions and public concerts.

“Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements to procure Steinway Model B 6’11” Ebony Satin piano in support of United States Marine Band, Washington, D.C.,” the Marines note. “The Government intends to award a sole source contract for the above listed supply to the firm of Piano Gallery, Inc., 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, Va.”

Added the corps, when asked: `The President’s Own’ United States Marine Band has identified a requirement to purchase a new grand piano…The Steinway Model B that has been identified for purchase is a used instrument from a local vendor that was play-tested during the market research phase of the contracting process.”

“This magnificent 7-foot grand piano is often referred to as `the perfect piano,’” Steinway says of its Model B. “When it comes to balance, beauty, and power, this incredible piano has no equal.”

Given the financial sour notes facing the nation — and its military — you’d think the corps might generate some sweet music for taxpayers by opening up the bidding to all quality piano makers.

Leave me Marine Corps alone. We are the most fiscally savvy, good stewards of the nations money than any other federal entity. I know first hand how cheap we are serving over 25 years. Since our band is considered the Presidents Own, we deserve a good dang piano......... Play on Marines! Semper Fidelis

"opening up the bidding to all quality piano makers" -- um, like who?? Besides Steinway, Mason & Hamlin of Massachusetts is it for this country. There are no other American pianos, except Charles R Walter of Indiana, which doesn't make a grand of this size. I can hardly see the Marine Band buying a Yamaha or a Kawai, much less a Young Chang, a Hailun, or a Pearl River, even though they would have been cheaper. And most great European brands are far higher, like Bösendorfer, Bechstein, Steingraeber, Fazioli, Blüthner, August Förster, or Grotrian.

I'm glad practically everybody is taking the side of the Marine Band in these comments, and not the dumb writer's. Am also glad nobody is referring to it as a "baby" grand -- as if any species can exist of all babies. Anything longer than 5 feet or so, front to back, is simply called a grand piano.

Considering where the band plays - the White House and several high profile venues every year - so what. The band is making a good investment. The author of the piece should note that these band members are classically trained they are versed in all types of music besides marching songs. Some of them have been to Juillard and competition is extremely keen for a position in this band as well as all service bands. Any classical symphony in the world would hire them as well as some of the prestigious music schools in the states as well as the rest of the world.

Are you kidding me? A Steinway grand piano will in the range of $45,000 to $100,000. This is not an item you trade in after 2 or 3 years. The timing might be a little inappropriate right at this time, but the price is reasonable.

The bad thing this is happening all over the military. Fort Riley is building a new $$$ Chapel and they to are looking at getting a $$$ Billy Joel piano. This on the day that the civilian work force is being furloughed. We cant pay our work force but we are buying high dollar items and spending year end money on un needed items while our work force will be eating rice and beans.

The Marine Band is one of the top musical ensembles in the country. $78,710 is a *very* reasonable price to pay for a professional quality piano. This piano will be played for many, many years! A quality instrument can easily see a lifetime of hard, daily playing of 15 years. So, you're really looking at a cost of $5247 per year for 15 years. Break that down further and you get a payment of $437 per month.

You are kidding me right? This is the cost of a great piano. A CONCERT PIANO. let's not even talk about the cost of a professional grade Viola, or Double bass which reaches into the $100,000+ range sometimes. On a musicians salary? I don't even balk at the price of that piano. At least it will get used unlike the majority of pianos i've seen purchased that sit there and deteriorate as furniture in some richie's country home. ARG!

"... you’d think the corps might generate some sweet music for taxpayers by opening up the bidding to all quality piano makers."?

Clearly written by a musical ignoramus who knows little about pianos. As you might be able to see, I'm playing the same model of Steinway piano in my logo.

The band will probably have occasion to play with visiting great pianists and ONLY a Steinway has such a perfect touch that you need little time to get used to it. Without a Steinway, they would have great difficulty getting such artists to contribute their time.

I played on a Steinway M once. I cried for days because the sound was so resonant. This piano will last for 100 years, its a Steinway, not a rusted out car. And it is used. This sounds like an absolutely necessary purchase.

funny how the military automatically gets treated like spoiled children by some people. just because they are the military. they dont need $80000 pianos. but ask this. do you really think they spend $80 for a hammer? $1000 for a toilet seat?

Even though you are only off by $290, when you are criticizing costs it is pretty sketchy journalism to round up. If you're going to exaggerate, why not make it an even $80,000? Easier for taxpayers to remember that way.

Besides, they are probably going to use it for a cheap bomb casing anyways. I'm sure it makes economical sense, or the brass wouldn't endorse it, right? Right? Riiiiight.

So yeah, two major American problems in one article: poor journalistic standards and freewheeling military expenditures. Kudos.

what a thoroughly enlightening article. i mean, my day just wasn't complete without learning the Marine Corps band bought an expensive piano. and don't we still have troops in afghanistan? are we not getting ready to potentially send the Marines into Syria? are there not massive sexual assault, PTSD, VA red tape, injured troops coming home and veterans employment issues facing our military right now that might serve as better topics than the purchasing of a piano? leave it to TIME to deliver the hard-hitting stories that no one cares about

@MickeyCashen Hogwash... many European pianos are considered higher quality and easier to play than Steinways, with their notoriously stiff touch. The only thing you "need time to get used to" on my Bösendorfer Imperial is the extra 9 keys on the bass end.

@TimboAnderson They do deserve our respect and support. However, this is not a gift. It's a necessary piece of equipment for the job they have to do. Some pieces of equipment simply cost more than others.

@LonKaiserHorse pucky, my friend. The price you pay for something is the price, and craigslist is just a price-setting mechanism. That piano is worth 35K and the military is spending 90k on it because they're a bunch of money-wasting incompetents.

@GregoryRush@MichaelCantor Different style of music and even more expensive. I'm a huge fan of Bosendorfer for classical, myself. Steinway truly makes great pianos and is a great fit for an American military band.

I gained a lot of respect for Steinway after watching the documentary about them on Netflix called "Note By Note."

@jhoughton1@LonKaiser Used to play a Rosewood Steinway C. Best damn instrument i've ever played. Just had moved to NYC, practiced Charles Ives in the music store. Played it, guy walked in and bought it. Salesman promised me a cut. Nvr happened. It sold for 70K